Accurate (free) activity tracking apps? Distance + time + heart rate (phone has a monitor).

PixelPuff

Hey, all! Sorry if I'm not looking around the forums before posting this...

One of my friends is looking for a good, accurate activity tracking app. The one he is currently using, even from a glance, is incredibly inaccurate (400+ calories burned from 15min walk/jog, and the gps almost doubled his mileage). He has heart issues, and while trying to lose weight, we all know accuracy is absolutely essential. He cannot ramp up intensity too much. Reason he is not posting: I offered, so I'mma do it.

Any suggestions will be passed straight to him.

Thank you!

TavistockToad

if i had a medical reason to be bothered about my heart rate then i would spend the money on a reasonably accurate HRM or tracker instead of a free app.

MatthewRuch

No HRM that is going to be even reasonably accurate will be free. You are probably looking at $3-500 for a piece of gear that meets your needs and accuracy requirements.

Polar is the leader in accurate HR monitoring gear, and they have a wide variety of products you might want to consider, but also realize that unless buying a high end fitness watch from polar, garmin or other reputable companies, accuracy will be highly suspect if not terrible using a monitor on your wrist. A chest strap is truly the way to go for accuracy

MeanderingMammal

It's the HR question driven by medical advice, or just a view that it's relevant information?

In terms of apps, for GPS tracking of generally recommend Runkeeper, Endomondo or Strava.